Rock-Cut Temples of Western India
The present book entitled "Rock Cut Temples of Western India" is an exhaustive book that covers all the caves of Western India. The book is the need of the times as a more researched book, a more detailed book on Western Caves has not been published after James Burgess and James Fergusson. Modern viewpoints and a deeper understanding of the caves were essential. The study required huge travel around the caves it was difficult to access some caves. Since there are no facilities around, photography was extremely perplexing. However, the book was completed within three and a half years.
Focus of the book is on the evolution of the chaitya and the vihara caves as well as comprehensive documentation of all the caves. Each cave was carefully studied and it's architectural, and cultural details were documented. A comparative study too has been included as similarities and dissimilarities establish a more authentic dating in case of the absence of inscriptions. The book also throws light on many unidentified sculptures. The special contribution of the book is the inclusion of practically all caves even some caves that were not included by James Burgess and Fergusson like the unknown caves of Kol, Yerphal, Pohale, Nadsur and Nenavali. Some of these caves are simply inaccessible.
Besides all the documentation the book has also taken special pains to assess and evaluate the present conditions of all these monuments as after a gap of many years many cave groups are in extremely bad condition. Those caves under ASI are in fairly good condition, though of course caves like Ajanta where the painting despite commendable development and conservation work being done is in a bad condition due to climatic and other geographical and man-made reasons.
In the study, major scholars' work has been referred to as their contribution is significant.